Black market in the Premier League has become a lucrative business.
Image credit: Transfer News Live
Manchester City has taken decisive action against ticket touting, banning 165 fan accounts following an internal investigation.
The move comes after reports of away supporters being present in home sections during key matches against Feyenoord, Manchester United, and Real Madrid.
Addressing the Issue
The club launched an inquiry into how tickets were being resold or transferred to visiting fans, resulting in:
- 165 accounts permanently banned for touting.
- 354 accounts suspended for further review.
- 223 accounts under close monitoring for potential violations.
City reiterated their stance that all general admission seats in home sections should be occupied by their own fans, emphasizing that they do not knowingly sell tickets to away supporters.
The Scale of the Problem
A security expert previously estimated that the black market for Premier League ticket resales is worth over £50 million per year.
Even rivals Manchester United acknowledged the challenge, stating that it is impossible to fully prevent away fans from securing seats in home-designated areas at Old Trafford.
How Ticket Transfers Work
With 37,000 season-ticket holders, Manchester City allows fans to transfer their tickets under specific conditions:
- 15% of season-ticket holders pass tickets to friends or family.
- 10% list them on the club’s official ticket exchange.
- 8% do not attend the match at all.
The crackdown aims to ensure genuine fans have access to tickets while preventing resale for profit.
Looking Ahead
City’s next home fixture is against Brighton on March 15, and the club remains committed to maintaining a secure and fan-friendly environment at the Etihad Stadium.
For more updates on Manchester City and Premier League news, stay tuned.